Supplementary appropriation to Division of Natural Resources, fund 3211

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Woelfel

SB 826 reallocates unappropriated funds to increase FY2026 appropriations for the State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund (Fund 3211), boosting equipment, current expenses, and o

Chapter 24, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

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Summary of SB 826 (Session 2026 – West Virginia)

Purpose and Intent

SB 826 is a supplementary appropriation bill that draws from the unappropriated balance in the Department of Commerce, Division of Natural Resources – State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund (fund 3211, fiscal year 2026, organization 0310).

The bill authorizes increasing the total appropriation for the 2026 fiscal year to fund 3211, organization 0310, to support designated program activities within the State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund.

The Governor’s certification asserts there remains an unappropriated balance available for expenditure during the current fiscal year, which SB 826 reallocates through this supplementary appropriation.

Key Provisions and Changes

Increases the fiscal year 2026 appropriation for:

Fund 3211 (State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund), FY 2026, Org 0310.
Specific line items adjusted:
Equipment (Object Code 07000): +$1,000,000
Current Expenses (Object Code 13000): +$4,025,000
Other Assets (Object Code 69000): +$6,500,000

The bill comprises a total augmentation of the current-year appropriation to reflect the available unappropriated balance as of the end of the current fiscal year.

Effective date: Upon passage (enactment) of the act.

Who or What Would Be Affected

State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund (Fund 3211) within the Department of Commerce, Division of Natural Resources.

The affected budget items within Fund 3211—specifically Equipment, Current Expenses, and Other Assets—receive additional appropriations for fiscal year 2026.

Administratively, the Department of Commerce and the Division of Natural Resources would allocate and expend funds under the referenced lines, aligned with the endowment fund’s purposes (endowment-related activities supporting state parks and recreation initiatives).

Procedural and Timeline Details

Legislative history shows expedited passage in early 2026, with:

Introduction in February 2026.
Passages in both chambers in March 2026.
Governor’s approval and eventual enactment in March 2026 (effective upon passage).
The enacted act is recorded as Chapter 24, Acts, Regular Session, 2026, and became effective on passage.

The bill is a straightforward supplementary appropriation rather than a new program authorization; it reallocates already-available funds within the existing endowment fund.

Additional Context

Sponsor: Senator Smith (President) with Senator Woelfel (By Request of the Executive) as co-sponsor.

The bill’s title clarifies that this is a supplemental appropriation of public moneys to the State Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund (Fund 3211) for FY 2026, increasing the existing appropriation items for that fund.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise one-page briefing with proposed fiscal notes or compare SB 826 to prior endowment fund appropriations for context.